๐ฅ๐๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ด๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐น๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐๐๐ถ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฎ๐น๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ณ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ซ๐๐
๐๐ฆ๐๐ฌ, ๐๐ข๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ฐ๐๐ง ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ || ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ ๐, ๐๐๐๐ – Responding to the outbreak of Pestalotiopsis Leaf Fall Disease affecting several rubber plantations in the province, the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rubber Research Institute (DA-PRRI), in partnership with the provincial government of Cotabato, took proactive measures by distributing agricultural supplies and inputs. In preparation for the event, 140 participants eagerly awaited the opportunity to learn during the Capacity Development seminar on Pestalotiopsis. Notably, prior to this, there was a thorough clearing of weeds, making the plantations ready for the impending treatment.
The distributed tools and supplies aimed at combating Pestalotiopsis included fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, machetes, safety coveralls, drums, garden hoses, and grass cutters. In a Zoom message, PRRI Executive Director Cheryl L. Eusala emphasized the importance of following the treatment plan to control and prevent the spread of the disease. She commended Cotabato province for its proactive stance in implementing quarantine protocols, active participation and collaboration with PRRI in the control and mitigation activity against Pestalotiopsis.
Jener C. Rojas, owner of a two-hectare rubber plantation in Barangay Pinamaton, Matalam, Cotabato, expressed gratitude for the assistance in combating the disease. He thanked PRRI’s leadership under Executive Director III, Dr. Cheryl Lazaga Eusala and the office of Governor Emmylou โLalaโ Taliรฑo-Mendoza for their compassion towards rubber farmers.
In her message, Board Member Ivy Dalumpines-Ballitoc conveyed Governor Mendoza’s appreciation to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., and DA OIC-Regional Director John B. Pascual for their support in the agriculture sector in the province. The assistance also extends to municipalities, including Makilala, Carmen, Kabacan, Mโlang, and Antipas.
The ceremonial distribution was attended by PRRI Senior Science Researcher Jill Villanueva, Provincial Agriculturist Remedios Hernandez, and a representative from DA Field Office XII, Delberto P. Sabanal.
– Julius G. Biolango